Last Friday EMS experienced a whole-school power outage. I am grateful for many stakeholders who ensured our students were safe during the outage while at school, when exiting school after making the choice to close, and when at home.

Thank you for your patience as our team worked with limited communication tools (phones and internet were down for the majority of staff at EMS). Thank you for your trust in our department of transportation. Thank you to our custodial and maintenance team for acting quickly to provide flashlights and sanitizer. Thank you to EMS' office team. Thank you for working with your student, individually.

As we work together to overcome obstacles - such as power outages - I am reminded about our common purpose: our students. Go Tigers!

This week, beginning on Monday, January 10th, your student will begin the Winter Reading and Diagnostic. Next week your student will begin the Math Diagnostic. This tool helps you - the parent - know your student's present levels for reading as well as Math according to this snapshot.

In September your student completed the first diagnostic. Next week, your student will begin their second measurement. And, your student will complete a third diagnostic in the Spring. Our goal is for 100% of our students to improve both Reading and Math skills based of the previous three months of school.

Individual score reports and growth reports will be sent to you during the week of January 31 so you know how well your student is learning based off this measurement tool.

At EMS we will be using the results, alongside achievement in the classroom, to enroll your students into specialty Reading and Math classes to ensure we are closing the achievement gap and providing your student with meaningful instruction based of her/his ability. Go Tigers!

The Estacada School District implements the “Test-to-Stay” protocol (announced Nov. 23 by the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Health Authority). EMS is excited about this opportunity to keep students in school after an in-school exposure and limit learning disruptions, all while minimizing risks of COVID-19 transmission.

Highlights of the Test to Stay Protocol: OHA’s test to stay protocol allows unvaccinated students to continue to participate in in-person instruction in Oregon’s K-12 schools during their quarantine period. The risk of transmission is minimized in school settings because the required testing is combined with several layers of protection including utilizing face coverings, physical distancing, cohorting, and ventilation.

• Parent consent must be obtained before the district can test a student for COVID. Parents will receive individual notification from the school asking for testing consent following a COVID-19 exposure. We will be texting all families.
  
  
• Test to stay is available only for unvaccinated students and staff who have had an on-campus exposure. Outside of school exposures will not be eligible for this program.
  
  
• Test to stay requires unvaccinated individuals to be tested twice during the 7 days following exposure. First, as soon as the exposure has been identified, then with a second test occurring between days 5-7 following the exposure.
  
  
• Test to stay is a form of modified quarantine, which allows students to attend school during their quarantine period. However, individuals participating in test to stay are expected to maintain quarantine outside of classroom settings.
  
  
• Students participating in test to stay may participate in school-related extracurricular activities during their quarantine period but must wear a face covering at all times during these activities.
  
  

• Note: There may be instances where OHA determines that there is a high risk of transmission and may implement a home quarantine for exposed individuals.

If your student has an in-school exposure, your child’s school and/or the Oregon Health Authority will inform you if test-to-stay is an option for your student. You must have documented consent in order for your child to be tested. Students who do not have parental consent will not be tested. These rapid tests use a lower nasal swab, not a deep swab. Participation in the test to stay is optional and families who opt not to participate may quarantine their child at home.

Learn more about test to stay via the Oregon Health Authority's FAQ here: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3898i.pdf

As winter weather approaches, our district is prepared to transition in-person learning to distance learning to keep school going even during inclement weather. This means that instead of having no school during snow days, your child’s academic progress won’t skip a beat. Students will transition to virtual learning.

Prepare your children by ensuring that they are bringing their school device home every evening, and contact your child’s school if you need a hotspot or additional support to ensure that you have home internet access.

Call the weekend COIVD-19 case hotline on the weekend. It is self-automated; select the right school (per the prompt) and leave a message. The voicemail you leave will be directed to our Vice-Principal, Mr. Kelley so we can begin to identify potential close contacts.

The number you need to call to notify us about your student's positive case is: 971-220-6594. Thank you for partnering with use to keep our students in the classroom with as little interruption as possible.

Our mission is to equip each student with the skills necessary to be resourceful and successful.

Email: emsinfo@estacada.k12.or.us
Website: www.ejhs.estacada.k12.or.us
Location: 500 Northeast Main Street, Estacada, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 630-8516
Facebook: facebook.com/estacadamiddleschool
Twitter: @estacadamiddle